Astro Blog

When it comes to kitchen planning. cabinets play one of the most important roles in both your kitchen's appearance and functionality. With so many new kitchen cabinet options out there, we narrowed down our top 6 cabinet door styles, ranging from sleek high gloss to refined shaker and rough-chic. Explore the different options available in today's kitchen world from Downsview, Aster and our house brand to find the one that's right for your dream space.

When you’re considering a remodeling project for the kitchen, shopping for furniture, fixtures, and color is always fun—after all, it’s the icing on the cake. But determining which materials to use, what to keep and what to replace, and how much your budget will allow are important decisions that you need to make before you get to the decor details.

As the kitchen continues to evolve from a room with a merely utilitarian purpose to becoming the heart and soul of the home, designers strive to re-imagine and improve upon this ever more important gathering space. The new dual function of the kitchen – preparing food as well as encouraging family interaction and entertaining guests – lends itself to several key design features that continue to enhance both aesthetics and functionality of the new social hub of the home.

The Background

Roughly this time last year I sat down with a new client. She came in flustered having just bought a new home, she had a two year old son in her right hand a 3 month old daughter in her left hand; needless to say starting a renovation was rather daunting. The client had a conceptual idea for the home and a husband who was onboard for anything. Before I saw a single photo of their newly purchased home I was told “we want the home to have a calm Scandinavian country feel… but still modern”. Then the moment of surprise came, I was presented photos of house untouched since its 1930’s construction and a set of architectural plans for a renovation that looked like every mass builder would produce. First thing I asked the client was “If I can have your trust, would you let me throw out any preliminary work and let me start new?” The client said yes and everything else is history.

Astro Designer, Dean Large shares his design process with this Before & After Rejuvenation of a Heritage Home in the Glebe.

The Restoration

Ottawa seems as though it is the city of beautiful old homes that nobody wants to care for. The city is going through a period where home owners are opting for the wrecking ball instead of spending the extra time restoring these once stunning homes. This past summer I met a fantastic family who was tired of their suburban home and opted to move into the oh-so coveted Glebe. They sought out a home in need of rejuvenation and took it upon themselves to bring it back to its former glory.

As shown by this Ottawa, Canada, kitchen, downsizing does not have to mean compromise. Completed by Nathan Kyle of locally based Astro Design Center, the design of this new-build home circled around the planning of a dream kitchen and its proximity to the historic Rideau River.

"The Kitchen in this 1940s Ottawa cottage was big enough for only one person to use and not suitable for the family now living there. “Before, this kitchen was about the size of a bathroom and was lackluster,” says interior designer Nathan Kyle of Astro Design Centre. Kyle began the design process by learning how the family likes to function in the kitchen when working together, then set up the layout accordingly. He took down a wall and incorporated into the kitchen a side entry hallway that had been a waste of space. He also added luxe elements that suit the family’s love of eclectic and contemporary style. Rich wood finishes and a lively backsplash provide a beautiful backdrop for a display of intricate pieces they brought to Canada from Iran and create a timeless look." - Becky Harris, Houzz

Before & After: Kitchen Remodel

Homeowners, Hugo and Luc wanted to start their kitchen renovation as they felt needed a new look. Although, the kitchen cabinets were in good condition, the style and finishes were outdated. It was time for a change. Before we get started, let’s take a look at what their kitchen used to look like: